BASED ON ACTS 2:1-21

This communal reading replaces the formal reading of Acts on Pentecost Sunday.

Directions:

• Assign parts.
• If read in the sanctuary, position various readers around the chancel and in the pews.
• If read virtually, double check to be sure all readers are unmuted before beginning.
• No extensive rehearsal required, although readers should review their parts ahead of time. All readers should be ready to jump in when indicated. No long lags between parts!
• Hard copies of the reading for the congregation (or a projected copy if your congregation uses a large screen) should omit all stage directions except for those that pertain directly to the congregation. 
• If read virtually, screen-share the congregations’ copy.
• Everybody should totally ham it up.
• Maybe a little intro music first… and then begin.

The Reading

Luke: Friends, I know a great story about God. Want to hear it?

Congregation: Yes, tell us! We’re all ears!

Luke: OK. Here goes… Once upon a time, after Jesus returned to heaven, people from all over the world were in Jerusalem to celebrate a big holiday. But Jesus’ friends were in a house praying.

Choir: Praying? For what?

Luke: For the promise of Jesus to come true.

Choir: Promise? What promise?

Luke: That the Holy Spirit would come and be their helper.

Child: Why did they need help?

Luke: Because Jesus told them to go to the ends of the earth and tell people to trust God, to welcome strangers, and to love their enemies.

Child: Oh, I get it! But that’s not an easy thing to do…

Luke: Right! The disciples needed all the help they could get! Anyway, they were praying away, when suddenly… the house began rocking!

Choir: (Making noise like strong winds): Woooo! Woooo! Woooo!

AND

Congregation: (Making rumbling sounds, stamping feet, slapping thighs) Rumble, rumble, rumble…

AND

Musician: (On the organ or other instrument, plays spooky music underneath the woo-wooing and the rumbling)

Luke: And after that, fire came down and settled on their heads!

Congregation: Their heads were on fire?!

Luke: Well, not exactly. Sort of. You had to be there. And then…

Congregation: There’s more?

Luke: Yes! Listen! Then, all Jesus’ friends started talking in other languages!

Choir: Like this? (In different languages, and all at once: Alleluia! Praise God! Thank you, God! God is good!)

Luke: Just like that! People in the streets heard them and hurried to the house. They were amazed! They said,

Congregation: “But they’re all Galileans! How come we understand them?” 

Choir: “We are from Parthia, Media and Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Crete, Arabia and Libya.”

Child: And I’m from San Diego! (or whatever town the child is from) 

Luke: It was an amazing scene! But some onlookers made fun of the apostles.

Bystander: You know what I think? You’ve all been drinking instead of praying!

Luke: But Peter, who was the leader, stood up and said,

Peter:  No, no, no! We’re completely sober! It’s nine in the morning, for goodness’ sake! No, what you ‘re seeing is what God promised through the prophet Joel a long time ago!

Musician: (Plays something pompous and prophet-y sounding here to introduce Joel)

Joel: (Clears throat and begins, loudly)…

In the last days, God says, 

I will pour my Spirit out upon all flesh. 

Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, 

the young shall see visions, 

the old shall dream dreams. 

And everyone who calls on the name of God will be saved!

Luke: And that’s the story of Pentecost! THE END!

Child: Hey! Wait a second! I wanna know what happened next! Did the friends of Jesus stop being afraid?

Luke: Well… you’re all friends of Jesus, aren’t you?

Everyone: Yes, we are!

Luke: Well, that’s a question you have to answer!

Choir: A question we have to answer? Um….We’re going to need some help with that! 

Luke: Then maybe we should pray! 

Everyone: Yes, maybe we should! “Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come, Holy Spirit, come!”

Choir: Wind sounds… AND Congregation: Rumbles…. AND Musician: Spooky music….  Sound effects die down… a brief silence follows. Then, on to whatever is next in the order of service.